The bridge was the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world when it opened on September 22, 1986 and was the longest in North America until the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge opened in 2005. As of 2009 it is the 32nd-longest cable-stayed bridge in the world, and second-longest in North America. It is 2,525 m long with a main span of 465 m. The towers are 154 m tall.[2] It consists of six lanes, three in each direction, and has a maximum speed limit of 90 km per hour. Upon opening in 1986, only four of the six available lanes were open. Cyclists and pedestrians share two narrow side-walks one on each side. All six lanes opened in 1987 after traffic demand justified the need.[3]